Sunday, 29 August 2010

The smart girl is a key trend this winter. Think Alexa Chung and 14 year old blogger Tavi, and it’s clear the geek is still going strong. It has taken some time for me to let this trend sink in and to realise it is here to stay. So here goes. I am embracing my inner nerd and going behind the glass. Geek glasses aren’t for everyone, and I’m unsure I can pull them off, but with some encouragement I have plucked the courage to test ride geek glasses.

This season don’t be afraid to project the ideal woman inside you. Whether it’s smart business woman, curvy housewife or geek girl. It’s easier than you think- and you never know who you might become.

This season is all about realism. We are forced to face the harsh reality of wearable clothes, so make room for the ‘normal clothes’. After the glitz and glamour of the celeb filled noughties it’s time for something more genuine and real. Wait a minute, stop yawning. This is good news, it means the gap between a fashionable dream world and drab reality is no longer as wide as it was. Now everyday life is our fashion filled dream.

I have bought my first pair of practical shoes. They are uber geek chic and unsurprisingly androgynous. Meet my city smart shoes- suited for trawling the city and smart enough for work.

Finding a skirt that is an appropriate day time length is a lucky gem. I hate having to yank a skirt down as it rides up with every step i take, to reveal my cheeks, and i don’t mean the ones on my face. So thank god hemlines are going down this A/W. And thank god for H&M for giving me my lucky gem.

I had in mind a soft comfortable silhouette highlighting my waist.

The knotted belt is one accessory trick that baffles me. No matter how much I attempt it i fail miserably every time. So i am cheating...shhh. This one is from H&M and comes ready made. The knotted belt adds the masculine touch that i crave so much, and is key to this causal but elegant trend.

Someone else's wardrobe is like a dress up box, finding new things to mix and match, it makes getting ready in a morning less of a chore and much more fun.

I styled up my best friend. Finding a style, your own style, takes time and alot of patience. This year me and my two housemates vow to find and develop our own style.

I always wonder do stylisters just throw outfits together. I don't believe they do, putting outfits together takes thought. So our plan was to dress up in outfits we can wear on our placements, so that monday mornings require no thought what so ever.

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

The first few days did, just as i predicted overwhelm me. Now i am starting to catch up with the pace of the London, and my toned legs are coming on nicely.
I have become a pro at getting around on the underground maze, even if i am helped my by handy London guide book (best piece of advice i could give; never come to London without one!)
on the first two days me and the best blondie friend, flicked through the guide and picked a page at random, and just went there. No better way to do it.
The growing up side of living alone is taking it's toll and we are in the slow painful process of setting up out broadband. in the mean time because i can't quite afford to be a Starbucks blogger i have resorted to the free Internet in Pret A manger, (their hot chocolates are the most delicious i have ever tasted)...Now i am a true city blogger.

Thursday, 12 August 2010

Clean and simple are the first words that come to mind with COS clothing.

I love this effortless, non-fuss look. It is the sort of style you can wear anytime and take anywhere....it is the perfect date.

I have never purchased anything from COS, and on my London budget it seems pretty unlikely. But I can dream. COS is pretty affordable at about £45 for a perfect shirt but it's still out of my price range. Although this grey jersey top is only £25. BARGAIN!

The hardest pattern to shop for is definitely floral.
it can be tricky to find a print which mixes the right colours together, in a pattern that doesn't look nasty and cheap. A print that is on trend but is a classic, and has a slight vintage twist....because everyone thinks vintage when you see a tasteful floral print. Right?
Saving up and fashion definitely should never ever be used in the same sentence. Purely because it is completely impossible to do both! Therefore i have given up on the saving up and am going for the fashion part.

Following my floral shorts, i have purchased a floral blouse. it is definitely a bit of a grandma blouse but not so twee and pretty, and paired with my geography teacher cord shorts i am going for a comfortable boyish look.

Wednesday, 11 August 2010

Promises are easy to break....too easy sometimes.
When i promised to not buy any more stripes. I lied.

Today i am celebrating. My official moving day to London is 3 days time!

I HAVE DREAM...... to one day move abroad and set up base in a foreign country, which one, i haven't quite thought that far.

For those who are happy staying where they are, if that works for you then stay and keep cosy. But i have got the travel bug built in me . I love travelling and want to experience the whole hog of different lifestyles and cultures. What is scary is how different other cultures are to the English way of life, i know it is possible to adapt, but am i too set in my British ways to change?

The language barrier isn't easy to knock down either. For me life is confusing enough without a couple of hundred other languages to pick up on the way around. Languages certainly make life a little trickier and a world with just one language would be much simpler. But who wants simple and easy? Challenges make the tedious things exciting.

Moving to London is a huge step to take, this growing up business is getting pretty serious. So for now i am not ready to give up everything i have in glorious England.....one day though.....I promise!

Friday, 6 August 2010

I can't remember the exact moment that i decided cords are actually OK.
The moment that they went from old geography teacher to chic style. But that moment has certainly happened and as of this week i am the proud owner of TWO pairs of cord shorts.
Shame on me?! Pfftttt...think what you like.

Wearing cords means it has definitely hit home we are in a utilitarian trend. They are super soft, super comfy and bang on trend in the dark rustic camel colour.

They were £22.99 from Zara.

if i have just one piece of advice for shoppers this winter it would be

I ummed and arred about getting these Topshop shorts. But i was too much in love with them to resist. I justified my buy because even though they are a strong stand out piece they are pretty versatile. Plus i need something girly and pretty in my wardrobe against all them masculine style clothes.

I have just starting reading Lauren Conrads book, L.A candy. I am not sure this is a good idea.
I am no hardcore follower of The Hills but i have to admit i am a fan! Once you watch you can not help get sucked into the drama and designer clothes!
I have had this book for over a year and it still has never invited me to read.
The book is about about a girl who moves to LA, gets sucked into the partying life and followed around by a TV show. Sound familiar?
I have been put off reading because surely it is just an autobiography. So why change the names to Jane and Scarlett?!
The hills is all about juicy 'real life' gossip, so just be straight to the point!

It was my birthday. A happy exciting day that we were celebrating, so we both wore black. How daring are we! It wasn't done intentionally, and we are not morbid, it's just black suits every occasion and without a doubt makes you feel glam. Chloe (the blondie) dressed up her exaggerated shoulder dress with a long beaded necklace, which i can not wait to steal. This outfit is so simple yet so chic. She looks gooooooood. I paired my winter black lace dress with my clogs. A risky option, as they are two opposing seasons. However i think i successfully made my winter dress a summer dress, i hope?

It would turn out that i am not as comfortable in front of the camera as i am behind it. It is not that i am bossy but purely because i can see the end product as it happens. When i take a picture i am in control of what is in that frame. Being in front of the camera highlights my lack of confidence and when there is someone else taking the photo (even though it is my best friend) I have a little man sat on my shoulder shouting "YOU LOOK SILLY!" Even though i know my best friend has less judgement of me than when it is just me and my tripod.